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Microaggressions in Relationships
April 7, 2016
A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader. A great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.
-Eleanor Roosevelt
-Eleanor Roosevelt
"Teachers, in their interactions with families, can unintentionally use words and behaviors that deliver negative and denigrating messages," observes Maryam Daha in her article, "Recognizing and Addressing Microaggressions in Teacher-Family Relationships."
"These microaggressions can be subtle, at times unconscious and without intended harm, but may cause a rift in family-teacher relationships. Communicating with a learning disposition leads to a willingness to learn about the worldview of the family, and focuses on practical strategies that strengthen cross-cultural communication....
"Even though microaggressions might seem harmless and the person who enacts them might be unaware, they have a way of devaluing people and their hidden messages are degrading. One example is when a director praises a Vietnamese American mother, born in the United States: "You speak perfect English." Her intention was to compliment the mother, but the underlying message was that she was seen as a foreigner, not as an American."
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Comments (3)
Displaying All 3 Commentskids konnection childcare
spartanburg, south carolina, United States
I think that article is totally ridiculous! you were reading too much into a simple compliment
CSBC
Denver, CO, United States
I am not a fan of the term microaggression: language is either hurtful or it is not, and it can be hurtful to any person, regardless of their background! One of my daughters told her teacher she was Native American, as her mother had just enrolled in her tribe. The teacher told her she was not, because to the teacher the fact that her mother was Black precluded her also being Native American (a typical mistake). This was extremely hurtful to my daughter, who never brought up the issue of her identity until in college. There was nothing "micro" about this!
United States
Constantly picking at a person can be like the bites of a vulture. Eventually, they have eaten down to the bone.
It can be very difficult to recover, and many never do.
It is up to each of us to rid ourselves of our culturally conditioned microaggressions. If you don't know what hurts another person (or group of people) find out. This is not about "their oversensitivity." Be responsible for your own behavior and how you are causing harm to others with you words and actions. Willful ignorance is not acceptable.
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